#18 Knutsford Nuptials
Our Brides – Lizzie
Sometimes we get to pull some strings so we can match-make a bride to her perfect dress. Take Lizzie, who fell in love with Charlie Brear’s Haliton dress but ideally wanted it in a satin finish instead of the standard crepe.
We made it happen, meaning Lizzie could pair the Haliton with Charlie Brear’s Lyra overskirt to come up a wedding-day look that mixes playfulness and sophistication. I love the laid-back feel of their day: elegant but still full of fun!
Congrats Lizzie and Ian! No-one ever looked so good walking past a building site!!
Jess x
THE LOW-DOWN
How would you sum up the style of your wedding?
We wanted a day that was fun, relaxed and stress-free!
Where and when did you tie the knot?
Belle Epoque in Knutsford, Cheshire, on 16th March 2019.
And what was your wedding dress?
I chose a Charlie Brear Haliton dress, layered with the Lyra skirt.
THE LEAD-UP
How did you two first meet?
We met on Tinder! I certainly wasn’t expecting to meet my future husband via a dating app, but I’m very glad I did!
What about the proposal? When, where, how?
In June 2018 we had planned a trip to Rome for my birthday. Ian had subtly hinted that I might be getting an ‘extra special’ present while we were away… but a month before we were lying in bed one Saturday morning and, he being very strange, out of the blue he proposed!
He’d picked up the ring a couple of days before and couldn’t wait to ask, which suited me perfectly (as traveling with him through airport security whilst he tried to hide a ring would have been stressful!)
THE DRESS
Did you have an idea of what you wanted when you first started looking for your wedding dress? And did you stick to it?
I had no idea what I wanted, and my first visit to a bridal shop I felt like I was playing dress-up!
After a lot research I found that I loved Charlie Brear’s simple and elegant designs, and liked the concept of layering separates to make the look your own.
How did you find the whole experience of searching for the right dress?
Stressful as I only liked dresses that were +50% more than my budget!! But very fun once I’d visited Alexandra Anne and met the lovely Jess.
What was it about your dress that made it ‘the one’?
I felt really elegant and completely myself in the dress… which was a shame as it was way over my budget!
Jess said that we might be able to find a sample dress in my size, and that I’d be able to layer the new season Lyra dress on top of it. She worked her magic and made my dream wedding dress within my price range!
How did you feel once you’d made the big decision?
Relieved and so appreciative of Jess’ knowledge and expertise!
Do you have any top tips for other brides out there shopping for their bridal gown?
I researched online to find the designers I liked, and then searched for their stockists.
Try on lots of styles until you find one that you feel like yourself in!
THE BIG DAY
Tell us more about your outfit on the day. How did you complete your look?
I chose a matching Charlie Brear satin sash which linked the skirt and dress perfectly, along with a floor-length veil. The veil was the cherry on the cake and make me really feel like a bride!
I looked at thousands of pairs of ivory/white bridal shoes and decided they just weren’t for me. I finally chose some Whistles navy velvet heels that were my ‘something blue’ on the day, plus I’ll be able to wear them again.
And your bridesmaids?
My two sisters were my bridesmaids, and they have very different styles! So to match the laid-back style of the wedding, I let them pick what they wanted to wear so they felt completely comfortable on the day. Catherine wore a navy jumpsuit and Anna wore a pale blue dress.
What do you remember about the morning?
I felt calm and excited which was unexpected as I am usually a crier, and sobbed all day when my sisters were getting married! So I was very glad I didn’t cry my make-up off all day this time.
Who did your hair and makeup?
Laura Wilson did my make-up, as soon as she opened her kit… a whole case of Charlotte Tilbury, I knew she was the right one for me! She was so friendly and really listened to what I wanted.
And I actually did my own hair! I usually wear my hair down day-to-day, and as I wanted to feel myself I went for a slightly more glam version! I used a curling wand to wave my hair and I was ready to go.
Who took your wedding photos?
Nicola Thompson was our wedding photographer. It was a no-brainer as to who we’d choose as she had already photographed both of my sisters’ weddings!
I love her natural style of photography, plus she is the perfect balance of friendly, so that you feel relaxed, and with a clear vision of how to create the shots you want as efficiently as possible so that you can actually enjoy as much of your wedding without missing out on anything!
Did you follow any traditions? Or was there anything unusual about the ceremony?
As I have lost my dad, Ian and I walked down the aisle together at the beginning of the ceremony. Once we’d thought about the traditions and what they mean, we thought what better way to start married life: together as a team!
How did your dress feel when you were walking down the aisle?
I felt great, like the best version of myself! So relaxed but elegant at the same time.
THE MEMORIES
What are your favourite memories of your wedding day?
We didn’t stop smiling and laughing all day, it felt so amazing to finally marry the man I love after months of preparation!
Plus the feeling of love and warmth from friends and family just make the day extra-special.
What gave you the biggest laugh?
My mum’s speech was brilliant, obviously making fun of me but heart-warming at the same time. She is a natural performer so she had everyone laughing and crying at the same time!
What got the tears flowing?
Both of our dads are no longer with us, so remembering and acknowledging them was an emotional part of the day for us.
If there was one piece of advice you could give to a new bride-to-be, what would it be?
First of all, if you’ve found the dress, nothing else will compare so you should go for it!
And secondly, try not to get so carried away in the planning that you lose sight of what it’s all about. Do you really need to spend extra hundreds of pounds on the things nobody will notice? Pick out the most important things that will make your day perfect and make them your own…
And then STOP looking at Pinterest before you’ve bought personalised everything and tons of things you don’t really need!
And last but not least, where is your wedding dress now?
It’s hung up in my spare-bedroom after being dry-cleaned!
THE RECAP
Dress
Haliton dress + Lyra skirt by Charlie Brear
Accessories
Sash by Charlie Brear
Veil by Rainbow Club
Shoes by Whistles
Venue
Belle Epoque, Knutsford, Cheshire
Photography
Hair + Makeup
Makeup – Laura Wilson
Hair – bride
Decor
DIY
Flowers
The Flower House at Arighi Bianchi (Macclesfield)
Stationery
First dance song
Stevie Wonder – For Once In My Life
Living for Lizzie’s laid-back look?